Personally, I think we should end the embargo immediately and open the floodgates.

Give Cuba some good 'ole American capitalism and the gov't they choose after Fidel and Co. would likely be far different. Plus, Cuba would have at its disposal an overwhelming abundance of American capital influx. The beaches and hotels would be full. New cars and better homes would adorn the streets.

(not to mention, the sales of Cuban Cigars would go through the roof.)

Cuba is in a position, both politically (with a forthcoming expected change in leadership) and geographically (90 miles from America, it is the closest and one of the largest of the Caribbean islands) to take full advantage of a massive change to their economy that an influx of American dollars would bring. It doesn't hurt the equation that it would also send a shrill message to the Hugo Chavezes of the world.

on a cruise ship they warn of the dire consequences of trying to smuggle in cuban cigars...first thing my son asked me when i got home was 'WHERE ARE MY CIGARS' ok for poor old mother ot go to jail for life as long as he got a illegal smoke...i think it is the illegall part that intriqued him

My point was that Cuba is better positioned than other Caribbean nations to benefit from it coming from America.

The reason why Haiti is different is that its turmoil has a way of diminishing tourism. Castro might be shifty, but as you say, ask the Canadians! It's not like he or his successors would create an environment not conducive to tourism. An influx of currency is well, an influx of currency.

And, OH I know! The Canadians would be irked with us. Wouldn't be the first time. . .

I think the Cuban gov't would welcome American tourists with open arms. After all, they all say they love Americans, just not our gov't (as if there were a difference.)

They'd bend over backwards to prove to those tourists an abject positive lesson in communism. I have a feeling, though, that those tourists would teach Cuba an abject positive lesson in Capitalism.

I know other nations vacation in Cuba. I'm not being Americentric to suggest that America would be so much more of an effect. I'm being practical. Cuba is in OUR backyard. OUR tourists could go there MUCH cheaper than other nations do now. As a result, we'd overrun the island.

(Some Canadian is reading this and thinking: THAT's what we're afraid of . . .)

Timothy, capitalism works only if the government allows it, such as we've seen in China. But influxing the island with Americans and their dollars might not have the desired effect you seek unless the wealth is shared and they are allowed to use that wealth to grow independent of government interference. If the wealth is shared by the regime and horded, misused or spent on programs that don't really benefit the people, it might not hold.

I think the Cuban gov't would welcome American tourists with open arms. After all, they all say they love Americans, just not our gov't (as if there were a difference.)

They'd bend over backwards to prove to those tourists an abject positive lesson in communism. I have a feeling, though, that those tourists would teach Cuba an abject positive lesson in Capitalism.

I know other nations vacation in Cuba. I'm not being Americentric to suggest that America would be so much more of an effect. I'm being practical. Cuba is in OUR backyard. OUR tourists could go there MUCH cheaper than other nations do now. As a result, we'd overrun the island.

(Some Canadian is reading this and thinking: THAT's what we're afraid of . . .)

~faith,
Timothy.

Tim - I have to tell you seriously that Vietnam loves American tourists - actually they love all tourists. They are courting us - looking at ways to make things easier for tourists, etc.

The people of Vietnam, a communist country, with a not so happy history with the good old USA treated us very well. For the most part, they want to forget the past and go forward (their words to me, not mine).